Louis Armstrong was a remarkable musician of the 1930's who helped spread worldwide phenomenon of jazz. This talented man was born in August 4, 1901 into a poor family. At a young age Louis began singing on the street corners of New Orleans in order to support his family. When he was seven he received his first horn called a cornet. After shooting a pistol on New Years Eve a few years later, he was placed in the Jones Home where he had his first music lesson. Like many musicians, Louis moved around a lot in hopes of success.
Armstrong had a different type of singing that was unlike any other. Louis's "scat" style of singing transformed music all over the world. Fletcher Henderson Orchestra benefited by this talented musical phenomenon by adding improvisation and new musical vocabulary. In 1926 be began making records and his music was soon put on the radio. HIs unique technique was so sensational it was studied by his admiring musicians. Some say that his horn was like a singers voice. People had never imagined such a diversity of noises that could originate from just a single horn. His music was had a major effect on the world of jazz and had a substantial effect on swing.For more information on L. Armstrong click below.
picture can be found @ www.kodiakschools.org
Bessie Smith
One of the popular singers of this time was Bessie Smith. Bessie was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1894. She lead a hard life living in poverty as did many blacks. Her dreams of escaping poverty drove her to persue her career as a singer while her past hardships influenced her music. Miss Smith moved her audiences with her fearless soulful music. She had many talents along with singing such as dancing and acting. Bessie was referred to as the "Empress of Blues". This sucessful women was the highest payed black performer of the Harlem Renaissance. On February 1, 1923 Smith recorded the song "Down Hearted Blues". Bessie Smith died in 1937 in a tragic automobile accident. She had a very sucessful career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.